Brakes & MOT

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
View Threaded
Mon 5 Jan 2004 15:26
Brakes & MOT - PoloGirl
Another question I really should know the answer to...

How much attention is given to brakes during an MOT - do they just check that the car stops, or is there more to it?

I know mine are on the way to needing replacement but can't quite afford it at the moment, but the MOT is due on 16th Jan. Don't get me wrong, they do WORK... just that everyone else who drives my car says "god...your brakes!!".

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Jan 2004 15:45
Brakes & MOT - madf
For an MOT they test front and rear wheels separately on rollers and record the stopping efficiency. There are specific limits for front and rear and both sides should be within a certain % of each other. They also carry out a check of disk pad depth/look for external leaks and corroded pipes/cracked hoses.





madf


Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Jan 2004 16:09
Brakes & MOT - martint123
However, the braking efficiency required is no more than many many years ago. So if you can imagine the brakes of an A30 or Moggie thou' then you should be OK. Unless that is, thy are unbalanced or not working one one wheel. Brake pipes and hoses come under close scrutiny though along with looking for leaking seals.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Tue 6 Jan 2004 19:42
Brakes & MOT - John S
Unfair on Morris Minors!

From memory the footbrake must achieve 0.5g, and the parking brake 0.25g. Side to side balance must be within 10%.

These figures, as you say, are unchanged for many years, and very low. You would not be happy driving a car with brakes this poor. They are easily met by an unservoed drum brake set up in good condition. Last time I had the figures, my Minor could register about 0.85g for the footbrake. Ok, Minor brakes are not good by modern standards, but they are way above MOT minimum.

Regards

john S

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 5 Jan 2004 17:51
Brakes & MOT - Andrew-T
.. but older Polos were never famous for good brakes, were they? :o)
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.

The Good Garage Guide